Recovering travelling nurse with questions

2
I'm not new to travelling nursing, but I am under a slightly different situation. First, a little about me. I've been a nurse for almost 25 years, & have worked everthing from psych to ICU. 5 years ago, I self-reported a problem with alcohol and ordering internet drugs. I did this because, well, I don't believe I'd be here now if I hadn't. I swallowed my pride and went to work and asked for help. I am not at all happy with the things that led to this decision, but have never regreted my choice to self-report. Now I am about to complete a successful 5 years with RPP, and would like to reward myself by taking some travelling assignments. I am concerned though about the availability of assignments and the treatment of recruiters towards recovering nurses. What are the best travelling agencies out there who are recovery friendly? What states are my best options to look into? I presently have a multi-state license without restrictions, and was planning on sticking to the compact states, and am presently looking into Texas primarily d/t their need for ICU nurses. Does this sound like viable reasoning and something I should pursue?

Also, the last time I travelled, I kept my rental in this state as a permanent address. One of my ulterior reasons for travelling this time is to use the money I make toward schooling, first a batchelors in graphic design, leading to a masters as a medical illustrator. It seems counterproductive to keep paying rent back here when that money could go toward advancement. So my question is, if I use someone elses' address as my permanent, will I be required to offer proof of my actual residence, and if so, are there any options to this? And what of drivers licsense, etc., do I have to get all that changed as well?

Finally, my dog. I have a 60 # australian shepard/ springer spaniel, who is my buddy and have had for 8 years now. I have no intention of boarding him or leaving him behind. He is highly trained and intelligent, and very house-broken. Any ideas on the best companies to pursue in regard to this?

Any experienced travellers out there who can offer some insights on these concerns? It will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

As a traveler, changing my driver's license was always my option. Not sure what you mean about the permanent address, do you mean for your agency?
I have a friend that is currently traveling the coast of California with her dogs(with only one year of experience).

Just start comparing agencies, pick your place and go from there. They will no doubt accomodate your dog, go for the highest pay!

I haven't traveled in a few years, so I'm not much help on the agency. But do you have to disclose your past to them anyways? Does your license show a restriciton or something? More than likely they would just check to see if you have an active license I would think.

Adress wise, I just used my sisters address when I traveled, as we didn't keep a residence. Never had to show or prove anything. Never had any problems. We had a dog with us, I just let my agency know up front that I needed an apartment that allowed large dogs. Just do what you would do anyways, and check with different agencies.. which you would need to be doing anyways to get the best deal.

When I was traveling, I loved this agency. I tried some others, and went back to them. They always treated me fair, I got the best package with them. I also liked that my recruiter would give me a list of available contracts they had, and I could pick where I wanted them to submit me, rather than saying I'd like to go here, and they'd try to find it. Like I said, I've been out of traveling for close to 4 years though, so not sure how they are recently. But it's worth giving them a call.

pinkmegan, do not involve your licensing authority unless you absolutely have too. go through your EAP, your insurance provider directory looking for treatment centers. call up your local AA or NA, go to your priest, anything but your liscensing agency. In the state of texas it is way better to take your corrective actions well before your next lic renewal.

I'm not new to travelling nursing, but I am under a slightly different situation. First, a little about me. I've been a nurse for almost 25 years, & have worked everthing from psych to ICU. 5 years ago, I self-reported a problem with alcohol and ordering internet drugs. I did this because, well, I don't believe I'd be here now if I hadn't. I swallowed my pride and went to work and asked for help. I am not at all happy with the things that led to this decision, but have never regreted my choice to self-report. Now I am about to complete a successful 5 years with RPP, and would like to reward myself by taking some travelling assignments. I am concerned though about the availability of assignments and the treatment of recruiters towards recovering nurses. What are the best travelling agencies out there who are recovery friendly? What states are my best options to look into? I presently have a multi-state license without restrictions, and was planning on sticking to the compact states, and am presently looking into Texas primarily d/t their need for ICU nurses. Does this sound like viable reasoning and something I should pursue?

Also, the last time I travelled, I kept my rental in this state as a permanent address. One of my ulterior reasons for travelling this time is to use the money I make toward schooling, first a batchelors in graphic design, leading to a masters as a medical illustrator. It seems counterproductive to keep paying rent back here when that money could go toward advancement. So my question is, if I use someone elses' address as my permanent, will I be required to offer proof of my actual residence, and if so, are there any options to this? And what of drivers licsense, etc., do I have to get all that changed as well?

Finally, my dog. I have a 60 # australian shepard/ springer spaniel, who is my buddy and have had for 8 years now. I have no intention of boarding him or leaving him behind. He is highly trained and intelligent, and very house-broken. Any ideas on the best companies to pursue in regard to this?

Any experienced travellers out there who can offer some insights on these concerns? It will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hello. I would just make sure I was talking to my sponsor. Do a step 1 again. Why are you isolating? going into these situations is so stressful with all the stereotypes agism dui history mental health it is just tough enough . I wish you Gods speed and hope for you that this too will be a learning experience. Pleasant is not in the verbage of Nursing...at least my 37yrs lol. Soul building providing comfort doing good works making a difference. the other is comeraderie. also HONESTY, OPENNESS AND WILLING...how. You must honor your process. Again God Speed and all you have to do is stay sober...Say hi hi to puppy!

hi.
i am struggling with the problems that you reported right now. if it's not to much to ask, can you tell me how to go about getting help?

we cannot offer medical advice here as per the terms of service . please seek assistance from you primary care md. your insurance co. call aa. you can even go to a local ed and request help for detox you don't have to involve your license

Also, the last time I travelled, I kept my rental in this state as a permanent address.

Finally, my dog. I have a 60 # australian shepard/ springer spaniel, who is my buddy and have had for 8 years now. I have no intention of boarding him or leaving him behind. He is highly trained and intelligent, and very house-broken. Any ideas on the best companies to pursue in regard to this?

Keeping a rental is a tradeoff. Doing so maintains a tax home, an IRS definition that allows you to accept agency housing tax free. If you don't, you are itinerant and must pay taxes on provided housing or a housing stipend, per diems (tax advantage), and travel pay. It may be better than a wash, especially if it is possible to share your current housing (keeping a bedroom open for returning at any time).

I've never heard of an agency that is more pet friendly than another. But large pets are a big issue. It often means that you will have to find your own housing, or pay large non-refundable pet deposits. RVs are a great way around the issue and RV parks are very pet friendly. However neither of you may be comfortable together in an RV.

As far as your recovery status goes, that is strictly a personal issue. If you feel you can't maintain it without strong local support, you probably shouldn't travel. This is not something you have to report to a board unless there is something of a criminal nature or a license has been dinged for impairment.

Hi.
I am struggling with the problems that you reported right now. If it's not to much to ask, can you tell me how to go about getting help?

If you work at a large hospital, they will certainly have an employee assistance program (EAP) that is completely private and separate from HR - no comebacks on your personnel file or to your manager or peers. I've used one for counseling services. Otherwise, seek out a 12 step program or support group for your issue.

What did they teach you in your treatment program? Did you ever go to a nurse support group? Why would you risk your sobriety by traveling, which I'm sure was a strict no-no while you were being monitored? Isolating? A previous poster already told you. You will also be anxious, lonely and tired (and maybe hungry!) Remember HALT? I don't believe any agency would hire you if they knew you were in recovery because even they know how traveling is a major no-no jeopardizing your sobriety and their agency. If you must do agency work, then limit it to your own city so that you can get to meetings and be near familiar people.

Thanks for the insights. And yes, I meant a permanent addy for whatever travel company I may sign on with. The last time I travelled, I had to list a permanent residence to the company that I was travelling with for federal tax purposes or some such, but I used the rental I was living in at the time as my permanent addy which meant I was still paying rent on it while I was getting free housing on my assignment. This time I would like to find a way to free that up and use the money towards schooling. I'm 54yo, and really don't want the burden of student loans looking me in the face when I'm done. This seems like the perfect means to that end. I was planning on using a friends addy as my permanent, but was concerned that whatever company I signed on with would check to see if I actually resided there. Just being careful to not get my hopes up just to have them dashed on the first try.
The info on the dog travelling was also great. I can't go if I can't take him.

None of this is written in stone just yet. I still have til the end of July on my RPP contract, so I am just now getting a feel for the lay of the land. Your comments were greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

Thank you crazyoldnurse. I truly appreciate the concern. I particularly liked the HOW reference. I do not want to hide my addictive ways. I am a very grateful recovering addict with no delusions about the possiblity of using again. Anyone who knows that they are an addict also knows that there are no promises to be made that they will NEVER use again. I like to look at it as there always being some situation waiting for me up ahead that will drive me back to using. It is up to me to remain diligent in preparing myself for that moment. Meetings, a strong support group, and daily reflection are all a part of this preparation. There are meetings in every city of this country, and part of my plan is to find these places before I ever take the first step to a new city. I am not doing this to run from anything. If I were interested in that, I would never have self-reported in the first place. I am also not interested in isolating myself. My sponsor once told me that in a world with over 7 billion people, we are only alone if we choose to be. The trick is to find people who truly understand and repect my situation and associate most with them. One of the major problems in my past was not being alone, but in just going along with the crowd to feel accepted. Well, these days, I'd rather be around a crowd that actually accepts me, rather than feeling like I have to fit in.
One of the most important aspects of my sobriety now is that I like myself sober. I honestly NEVER felt this while using, or in my previous attempts to get clean. I now care, and I care about caring. Just like these words that I'm saying. In my addiction, I really don't care about taking the time to say such things. They were just so much dribble, and I couldn't be bothered. Now, however, they have meaning and purpose, and they just feel right. I like that! As do terms like HOW, one day at a time, keep it simple, etc. These became, have been, and remain a part of my daily reflections and prayers.
I even recently turned down a postion as a supervisor where I'm presently employed, not because I was afraid to try, but simply because I foresaw it as a very stressful situation. I will take the lesser money and responsibility if it keeps me sober. And all of this is still no absolute guarantee. I am not considering travelling as an escape, but as an option. Where I am at is, to say the least, a very hostile environment. Moreso than most that I have seen in my 25 years, and the area that I am living in is basically a closed system. Get a bad rep in one, and you are bad to all. I want to get back to the place in this profession that I feel most comfortable...ICU. After repeated attempts, this is not going to happen here. I am ultimately looking for a home. I only pray that I am not simply talking myself into another rut. We all know how this disease works. Very insidiously! I can only pray for the strength to accept life on lifes terms, and to continue to do the best I can.
I am about to complete 5 years with RPP, and if I continue where I am at, I will begin to feel trapped (did I just say begin), and this is as detrimental to me as anything. Just want a change of scenery, and new opportunities. Not an answer to all my problems. That doesn't work, as I know from experiance. Just remember, where ever you go, there YOU are.
Sorry for all the wordiness. This is a topic (sobriety) that I firmly believe in. Hey, DON'T GET ME STARTED! (oops, too late....LOL). Again thank you for your concern, as well as for all the comments I've gotten. It certainly helps to know that others care. And who knows, maybe I'll eventually meet some of you in my travels. That would be so cool. Til later.